This thread has run a while so there are a lot of opinions that have been presented.

To the best of my knowledge WA State does not require you notify an officer that you are carrying (or have in the car) a firearm.

HOWEVER

More and more States seem to be requiring that the officer be notified of the presence of a firearm in the vehicle IMMEDIATELY upon the officer approaching the driver. If visiting a state that has reciprocity with WA for concealed carry it might be a good idea to notify the officer right off. Some officers get real nasty if they don't get that notice IMMEDIATELY.

Personally I hand over my D/L, Insurance Card, and CPL when the officer arrives at the window. I also tell the officer where the firearm is. In almost every single case the officer has said "just leave it where it is and don't reach for or touch it". It's my opinion that you gain some creds with the officer when you volunteer rather than letting them find it on their own.

By doing this in WA State it is an ingrained habit so I won't likely forget if traveling in another state with or without reciprocity (difference being pistol on my person or just in the vehicle stored according to that state's rules).

With more and more LEO's being shot by motorists it's no surprise that they get real touchy when they encounter a driver that they suddenly find is armed. I'd just as soon get it out of the way and not have some trooper/deputy/cop draw down on me when he sees the firearm.

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_________________http://nwfood.shelfreliance.com"The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." Thomas Jefferson"Evil often triumphs, but never conquers." Joseph Roux

This thread has run a while so there are a lot of opinions that have been presented.

To the best of my knowledge WA State does not require you notify an officer that you are carrying (or have in the car) a firearm.

HOWEVER

More and more States seem to be requiring that the officer be notified of the presence of a firearm in the vehicle IMMEDIATELY upon the officer approaching the driver. If visiting a state that has reciprocity with WA for concealed carry it might be a good idea to notify the officer right off. Some officers get real nasty if they don't get that notice IMMEDIATELY.

Personally I hand over my D/L, Insurance Card, and CPL when the officer arrives at the window. I also tell the officer where the firearm is. In almost every single case the officer has said "just leave it where it is and don't reach for or touch it". It's my opinion that you gain some creds with the officer when you volunteer rather than letting them find it on their own.

By doing this in WA State it is an ingrained habit so I won't likely forget if traveling in another state with or without reciprocity (difference being pistol on my person or just in the vehicle stored according to that state's rules).

With more and more LEO's being shot by motorists it's no surprise that they get real touchy when they encounter a driver that they suddenly find is armed. I'd just as soon get it out of the way and not have some trooper/deputy/cop draw down on me when he sees the firearm.

NOT IN WA! If asked I will tell. Not asked I will NOT volunteer the info. I will not give up my rights.

_________________http://nwfood.shelfreliance.com"The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." Thomas Jefferson"Evil often triumphs, but never conquers." Joseph Roux

I always have handed the officer my drivers license, CWP and insurance information. I have had officers want to fumble around with every handgun in my vehicle and others that did not care. I have even had these bumblers snap my firing pin because they did not know what they were doing. The new permits also have your drivers license number on them so there is no excuse for an officer not knowing if you have a CWP.

I always have handed the officer my drivers license, CWP and insurance information. I have had officers want to fumble around with every handgun in my vehicle and others that did not care. I have even had these bumblers snap my firing pin because they did not know what they were doing. The new permits also have your drivers license number on them so there is no excuse for an officer not knowing if you have a CWP.

I have never told officers I am carrying when pulled over or contacted by police.

well once, I reported a man being assaulted by another to police and when they showed up I gave them my CPL, but that was a unique case.

If they ask, I won't lie. But if they don't I see no reason to bring it up. I never keep my gun in my glovebox with my papers and I rarely open carry anymore, if I have my pistol it's usually holstered and belted to my hip and I always wear vests or jackets, so if they won't see it I don't bother with it.

Don't lie, but no reason to answer any questions either.License, insurance, and registration through a crack in the window.You want to play 20 questions or chat with someone, wait until until you find a barber, bartender, counselor, or priest.

Don't lie, but no reason to answer any questions either.License, insurance, and registration through a crack in the window.You want to play 20 questions or chat with someone, wait until until you find a barber, bartender, counselor, or priest.

Why a crack in the window? Why not (unless it's raining) just roll the doggoned window down?

What is the purpose in all of this?

I've always wondered the same. I have found that a nice conversation with Mr. or Mrs. Officer seems to go a looooooong way in me leaving without more paper than I came in with.

The idea is that you expose yourself less to an officer who might want to bust you for other things. For example, if you roll down your window they could claim they smelled alcohol when you haven’t been drinking or something then make you have a harder day.

Not that I agree with the rationale, but that’s what it is. I’ve always just talked with the cop (though I don’t admit guilt...I just give noncommittal answers to questions or respond with “ok”).

OK so I have been pulled over a bunch of times armed. From my experience when they call my plates in, it shows that I am packing a 10mm. Yes I have been pulled over and the first words out of the officers mouth were" Where is the 10mm?"......My typical response, "On my right hip". I keep both hands on the wheel and am 100% listening and following the officers directions. I have been pulled over and asked for my reg and insurance and answered that they were in the locked glove box. "Don't you have a key?" yes sir but there is a hand cannon in there.....A Ruger Redhawk......He said leave it, and returned to his car.It's a freaking scary job if you ask me, I wouldn't want to do it. So show a little respect out to those that do the job everyday. No sudden movements no hiding anything no getting papers till you are told.....any movement you make before actual contact are bound to make any officer nervous......and why would you want to do that?

I have NEVER been asked for a permit, if I had any guns in the vehicle, nor volunteered either.And that includes the time I was pulled over for speeding 20+ over with an open box full of ammo and loaded handguns in the passenger seat (last minute trip to range event)Trooper never even brought it up, and neither did I. Wrote me up for a 5 over and I sent a letter, dismissed as always.

As for handing it out the cracked window, I dunno. Have always done that.Guess I don't want anyone sticking their head or hands in, or as stated above....claiming they smelled something they didn't.

Why a crack in the window? Why not (unless it's raining) just roll the doggoned window down?

What is the purpose in all of this?

I've always wondered the same. I have found that a nice conversation with Mr. or Mrs. Officer seems to go a looooooong way in me leaving without more paper than I came in with.

The idea is that you expose yourself less to an officer who might want to bust you for other things. For example, if you roll down your window they could claim they smelled alcohol when you haven’t been drinking or something then make you have a harder day.

Not that I agree with the rationale, but that’s what it is. I’ve always just talked with the cop (though I don’t admit guilt...I just give noncommittal answers to questions or respond with “ok”).

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I’ve heard it called the “Stupid tax” when someone either seems like they are hiding something or are “I know the law and I’m only required to do X based on RAS......”. Not that it is right by the officer but also, there is no reason to be a dick. You are probably not being pulled over due to profiling.

The idea is that you expose yourself less to an officer who might want to bust you for other things. For example, if you roll down your window they could claim they smelled alcohol when you haven’t been drinking or something then make you have a harder day.

(Insert sounds here of a groan, a sigh, and a palm hitting a forehead...)

Well....all I can say is this....

1. So, you don't do anything more than crack a window. That's OK. Do you REALLY think that's going to keep any smell inside a car?2. If someone is drinking, has been drinking, or driving impaired, there are a LOT of other visible signs that this is the case.3. Let's recap...I observe a problem, and I turn on the overheads. I walk up to the car, and you have your window cracked, won't roll it down any further, and you're being evasive with your answers. Your communication with me is almost non-existent.

So, what do you think will come next?

If I just pulled you over for a minor violation, I will be quite frank...your behavior is telling me that you want me to go away. A reasonable person will not act like that. It seems like you have something to hide. Yes, I'm going to dig. Yes, I'm going to ask questions. Yes, I am going to look around, as much as possible through your windows.

In short, the possibility of getting a "Please drive safely and have a better day" is getting smaller and smaller by the minute.

Read Terry v. Ohio, and see how the officer in that case developed what is now known as reasonable suspicion. Pay close attention to how Terry acted after he was contacted.

Does it sound familiar?

So, now, we're well into the traffic stop. What could have been a 5 minute encounter at best is now stretching on. I've called for another officer and possibly a supervisor.

Do you see where this is going? At best, you're going to be stuck sitting there for quite a while while we determine that you're just being a peckerhead.

At worse, we get to the point where I can articulate reasonable suspicion. Then...guess what comes next?

"Sir (or ma'am), please step out of the vehicle, and keep your hands where I can see them."

No, this is not a threat. Nor is it a promise. Just a statement of fact.

To date (and I'm not saying it will happen or won't in the future) I have NOT written ONE CPL holder. I haven't had to. I've issued buttloads of warnings, and have had some good conversation.

If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to be afraid of. If you have nothing to hide, just be a normal person, OK? Don't make it harder than it should be...ESPECIALLY if you're packing.

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